Zimmerman, 28, is charged with second-degree murder for shooting Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black 17-year-old, as the teenager walked through Zimmerman's gated community Feb. 26.

The shooting set off demonstrations across the country by critics who accused Zimmerman of racial profiling and were outraged that Sanford police made no arrest, saying they were convinced that Zimmerman acted in self-defense.

A special prosecutor, though, did charge Zimmerman earlier this month. He's now free on $150,000 bail.

Before his arrest, Zimmerman went into hiding but created a website, TheRealGeorgeZimmerman.com, to air his political views and solicit money for his defense.

Supporters hoped he would use it to tell his side of the story, but he did not.

Instead, the low-tech site featured an American flag as well as quotes, including one from patriot Thomas Paine, and a PayPal donation link, allowing supporters to make credit-card contributions.

Zimmerman later hired O'Mara, who has since worked to minimize media exposure.

O'Mara on Monday toldCNN'sAnderson Cooper that that website and another had generated about $3,000 in donations.